Ments



APPLICATION FILED- APR. 22. 19H4- J.. H.GREEI\JSTRIEETy Box BLANK MACHINE.

Patented Deo. 23,1919.'

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

l BY' J. H, GREtNSIREET.

BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLlcAloN FILED APR.22,1914,

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

Lszmm 4 SHEETS-SHEET- 2.

By l

ww 11min.. *m- Wm.

'1. H. GREENSTBEET.

' BOX BLANK MACHINE.

` l 'l APPLICATION HLED APR. 22. |914. 1,325,719. I Patented Dec.` 23,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Arrow/vir .Patented Dee. 23,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

OAGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO000000000 Arme/vn PATENT OFFICE Jason n." GREENSTREET, or INDIANAPOLIJS, INDAN, AssrGNoR, -BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T` 'WIREBOUN'DS `C ()RPC)RAYJON',l A. CORPORATION OF MAINE.

Box-BLANK MCHINE.:

To all whom z'tjv'zay'foncem:

i Be it known that I, JASONv H. GREnN-- STREET, a citizen of. the United States, resid# ing atlndianapolis, inthe county of Marion' and State of Indiana, have-'invented a new following is a specification. The object of my inventi a machine for the rapid and economical production' of box blanks comprising sheet material and transversecleats associated by. fas-.

and useful Boix-Blank Machine, of which the lening means which may, if desired, comprise .f blndlno' wires .or similar bindlng membersextendmg. lengthiviseofjhe cleat and cross wise -of the sheet material, the construction corporated infthe machine 'and .which'are brought automatically to. a convenient posi-l ti o nifor` insertionbetween the cleagsbytlgJ The '-"acconipanying drawings illustrate my inventionr Figurel isa plan. of` a machine incorporating my inprovements, -the spacing-members for one side of the machine'-hzwin'gfbee nV omitted for clearness Aof view lof one yof a fragmentaryj illust1atioIr;"-Fig. 2 a vertical medial section; 3 agsfiagnientary planl of the the'cleats, `sheets .and spacer; Fig. 8 a s'ection on line 8f-8 of F ig. 2A but on a larger scale; Fig. 9.a fragmentar'yvertical section y showing thearrangement of sheetcarrier relative to thecleats and cleat guides, said sheet carrier being shown .in the form which* has been` found -to be convenient in the pro duction of `crates a'sdistinguished from tight boxes; Fig.` 10 a fragmentary plan of a- -modiied form of.spacer block and feeder Wherein the feeder acts upon those spacer blocks vvhic'h space one box blank from anl l i other so that the feeding mechanism becomes independent of the cleat lengths and Fig.

11 a detail of an endless chain feed. L

.In the drawings, 10 .indicates a main frame provided with an anvil 11, snperposed stapling mechanism 12, and'a -main drive Specification of Letters .Patent vn is to producer.:

L`aand itisrto be understood that thestapling aan@gehen In;Y geeraluth Staplifg being such that the'cleats are" accurately-- ,SPaced' bySPacing members which are fin-fa shaft 13. Extending across'the -PatentedDe c.23,-1919. 'applicationalga Api-i122, 1914.- serialNasaases. Y

and beneath the stapling mechanismr121are y 1 i two cleat guides 14 and 15, the cleat 'guide 'l-l being' preferably laterally lixedwhilethe cleat guide 15 may be laterally adjusted-t0 Ward and fromguide lfl'by means of' the not materially diii'erent from-'that comme employed fin'-y the art,l

mechanism drive staplesfinto the material. wh Y' l'be' passed :between the stapling mec nism 'and the anvil. 1,1 soV as to fasten'vsaidfma` adjusting screwsl. The constructionthus Vfar described -66 4is operated intermittently; to Y 'Will mechanism automatically forms' its staples from a-supply of wire 17 and straddlesthese staples overa bindingwire 18 Which is delivered to the cleat and `sheet-materialof Which-thebox blanks or crate blanks are to be formed. 'Y This stapling mechanism and the application of binding wire 18 to the boxblanksis Well knowgn and for'ms no part ofjmy present invention, so far as the specific details-'0f construction ofthe same are concerned. 1

At the feed end of the machine (the right at Fig. 1) the cleat guides14 and 15 are extended for a considerable distance so as to have sufficient length toreceive enough cleats25 to form several blanks. tension is not`essential but is desirable/to permitthe rapid operation of the machine and at various points in the preliminary por# tion of the cleat, guides I provide feed -wheels 26 which are arranged to rotate ina substantially horizontal plane land to en- This eX- gage the inner vertical faces of the `cleats and drive them forwardly throught-he cleat guides toward the staplng plane. In practice, cleats 25 lvary considerably in Width and I have, therefore, found it desirable to mount each feed Wheel 26 upon a shaft 27 carried in a bracket 28 journaled upon ahoriz'ontal shaft29, the shaft 27 being provided with a bevel geai 30 meshing with a Y bevel gear 31 carried by the lower end of Shaft 26 and the bracket 28 being urged in one direction by agspring` 32 (Fig. 8). The feed Wheel 26 is associated with Shaft 27 by. means of friction disks. 33, Vspring 3l; and adjusting hut 35 so'that the shafts 27 may be driven constantly at a speedsomewhat in excess of the normal .forward speed of the cleats so that the feed ivheels 26 will serve plane, as indicated at 41', the track is deected laterally Vaway from the cleat guide and then is turned rearwardly and extended .back tothe initial end of the machine, as

clearly indicated in Fig. 1,

Mounted upon each track 41 are many spacer blocks 42 and 43, the blocks 42 being cleats ofa box b formed for the 1properA spacing of adjacent ank, while the blocks 43. are formed, for the proper spacing betweenthe.

final'cleat 'of one blank andthe initial cleat of 'the succeeding blank. Asa genera-I rule,

'bottom of-Fig. 1, andthe return accom-' plished-S bymeans Aof a; reciprocating pawl.' 44 connected to'an operatingvarm 45 whlch- ,is reciprocated by means of a pitman 46 operatedby van eccentric 47 carried -by' the. "'maiii drive shaft 13. y s 1 mechanism by 21k teblanks are made-fr ebmrnrecngular boxes, and, therefore, the ,blocksV 42 and 43 are arranged -insets of threeblocks 42 and one block 43; The-precise number ofA 'these blocks in anyguide is notmateria'l, because .means can readily be provided to quickly return a block to the initial end of the track as soon as 'it is wlthdrawn from betweentwo cleatsatthe delivery end of the-machine, but in; practice I' have found it convenient to 'provide aj su'cient num-'A ber of spacer'blocks to practicallyilill the return s'idelof the track, as indicated at the -flhefcleat's vandsheet' material are fed through the machine past'the staplmg mittent in its action, 'se thatfthe sheets and cleats" may be ,stationary during the process of-driving the staples, .and itis also desirablethat the movement'of the cleats --be' in direct proportion 'to their lengths.' Con- Y 'sequently I arrange, near the staphng lane,

and adjacent each cleat gulde, a gui eway 51 pmuel with the'ciatfguide' and in this blocks-which are 'in advance ofthe same.- to and through the"stapl1 ng plane. will.' be readily understood that where agma'chme' ideway. I mount aireciproating ,feeder ar'g52 which' is' ,coxinectedj b'yl 'a/link 53 with-the reciprocatin. arm 45. Mounted w chain guide 63 is provided at lts upper edge uponbarl 52-is a seriesof cleat feeding pawls54 Iwhich are' normally v urged laterally intofthe cleat guides by light springs and these pawls are s'o' spaced `with relation to` each-other that: at` 'least'one of them will engage arear shoulder ofone ofthe cleats 25 before'v it'reaches thestapling plane, the

active pawl or pawls 54 thus servingV to` drive' the cleats and" interspersed spacer is used for' the preduetion ofstandard sizes said pawls being the cleats b'y\aJ guard rail 59. By this ar- Amachine, I "for" associating the slat sheet material-62 s some means which is '1nterof boxes wherein the cleat lengths are mul- .as those shown in Fig. 6 where the blocks 56 are` triangular in cross section and set in grooves 57 formed in the upper face of the .pusher bar 52, said grooves being flanked by notches 5S into any one of which the block may be set. 'To adapt the ma- A chine for handling cleats of any size and placed upon the bar 52 and yet insuring a proper placing of the, final staples' of a blank, I recommend the con-V struction shown in Fig. I O'Wherethe spacer blocks 4.3 are provided with lateral extensions extending into the path of movement of thepawls 54 of the 'pusher bar 52,' the prevented from engaging rangement, the cleats are advanced through erly spaceV adjacent sheetsand to drive the sheetmaterial forwardly to the stapling plane, this being common` practice 'in machinesof this general type. In the present however, I have provided 'means with the cleats so as to produce` crates and in-order to properly associate this sl'at ma- -the machine by force exerted against the f spacer blocks instead of directly against the cleats.

terial with the cleats, I provide adjacent each'cleat guidea general guide 63- through 10QV whichrunsan endless chain 64 provided at- 'l appropriate intervals with upstanding pins 64 between which the slats.62'maybe laid. I

vChain 64.is 'arranged substantially m a verftical plane and is passed around suitable' and, therefore, each bar 52 is' provided vwith pawls68 which are adapted to engage the pins 64 of chains '64 and thus advance the chains, and the 'sheet material, through the machine-'in unison with the cleats. Each with. a portion 71 which overlies landprotects the chain 64`and^serves .as a support .found it convenient to Vincline the chain wardly' toward. the stapling 'plane so that the t'op portion 71 beyond the stapling plane will lie a little below the faces of the cleats.

the amount. of projection vof' the pins 64 -12' for the slats or sheet material 62. I havev .guides '63"'lightly downwardly and for i i 11oidlers 65, 66 and 67., It is essential that thel l chains 64 move inunis'on with, the lcleats tween the slats after the slats have been fastened to the cleats.

The operation is as follows z-In starting- -behind .the initial cleat, the second cleat placed behind this block, the second block 42 run in behind the second cleat, a third cleat placed behind the second block 42, a

third block 42 placed behind the third cleat;

the fourth cleat brought into place, and` a block 43 run in behind it. Slats 62 will then be distributed over the cleats between the fingers 64', of the chains 64 and the machine started in operation, the-bars 52 operating 'upon the cleats and Slat chains to advance the cleats and slats step by step to and through the stapling'plane. In jthe meantime, the feeding operatives at the initial end of the machine are placing cleats in proper sequence in the cleat guides following each cleat with a spacer block drawn into'the cleat guide by hand from thesupply on' track 41 and4 these cleats are driven forwardly and kept up against the cleats which are being advanced by the bars 52, by means of the frictionally driven feed wheels 26 which, because of thelswinging mounting of the brackets 28 and springs 32, engage the cleats properly even though they vary considerably in width. This swinging movementA of the wheels 26, being downwardly, serves to hold the "cleats down in the cleat guides.

Just beyond the anvil 11 the track 4l branches voff from the cleat `guides so that the spacer blocks 42 are'automatically retracted from the cleat guide, as clearly shown at the left of Fig. 3 each succeeding block pushing the blocks which preceded it around the curve 0f the track so that the blocks are nally successively deliveredto the pawl 44 which acts upon them to push them along the outer side of the track 41 toward the initial end of the machine where they will be convenient of access by the operatives who place the cleats in place.

Mechanical means might be provided to push the blocks into the cleat guides after introduction of a cleat but in practice vl have found that the operatives who place -the cleats have ample time to run in the spacerblocks following each cleat without decreasing the capacity of the machine.

It will be understood that other means than the pawl blocks 52 might be provided to drive the cleats through the machine. For instance, as shown in Fig. l1, the cleats may be driven through thecleat guides by endless spur chainslSl arranged to engage the inner vertical faces of the cleats, these spurchains being advanced stepy by step byY any suitable ratchet mechanism driven 1n synchronism with the stapling mechanism.

Where the forward feeding of the cleats is accomplished by engagement of the pawls of the pusher bar either with the rear faces of the cleats or by engagement with the successive spacer blocks, it is, of course, essential that all ofthe pawls of the pusher bar be accurately spaced with relation'to the cleat lengths in order that the four cleats of a series may be kept in proper relative arrangement without any more spacing thai that provided by the spacer block, and it is therefore necessarythat the lengths of the several cleats of lany blank be in multiples of the spacing between the pawls on the pusher bar.

By utilizing the construction shown in Fig. 10, however, where the cleat-advancing forceis applied only to the rear cleat of each set, the lengths of the cleatsneed notV be considered because all of the cleats of each set will remain compactly together. Thedriving force might be applied directly to a rear face of the rear cleat of each set, the long spacer block between blanks being then introduced merely to insure a minimum space between blanks but it is more convenient to apply this driving force to every fourth spacer block so as to carry that spacer blockA forwardly through the machine with the four cleats which immediately precede it.

In this arrangement the spacer blocks will carry the sheet-spacing engaging means and the sheet material may therefore be associated with the cleats accurately and in such manner asvto insure a tight edged box when the blank has been folded into final position.

The stapling mechanism most commonly inuse in machines of this 'character is one in which the staples are automatically formed and immediately drivenas a result of reciprocatory motion derived from a ro tating part of the machine and heretofore it has been necessary to move the box mae terial forward one steppreliminarily to the driving of each staple', the forward -advancement of the box material being equal only to the distance between staples and, as the staples must be driven fairly close together (generally about three inches) in order to produce a substantial box, the number of necessary advancing steps of the' I naterialhas li'nited the speed of delivery of" the machines because, when these advancingI steps areiproduced too rapidly, there is notlosV machine I have overcome thisdiiiiculty by arranging over each cleat guide two staplingmechanisms 12, 12 which are spaced aparta distance which is an odd multiple of the distance which is desired between staples.A The feeding mechanism is then ad- -justed so as to intermittently'advancethe box material through the machine, beneath the stapling mechanism, a distance which is an even multiple of the space desired be tween the staples. As a consequence, the advancingv step of the .material may be; longer, and"therefore lessfrequent for a given output of the`machi11e, While at the same time maintaining the desired. short distance between the staples. Y

I claim as my invention:

l. In apbox blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, a fixed endless spacer block guide arrangedl with a portion adjacent and substantially parallel lto the cleat guide, and a l-urality of independent spacer blocks slidab y mounted on said block guide .and each provided with a portion formed to traverse, the adjacent cleat guide'.

2. In a box blank machine, the combina-4 tion of a cleatfguide, and stapling mechanism arranged over said ide .and provided with means for operating upon material passing through said guide,v a fixed endless spacer block guide arranged with 'a portion adjacent and substantially vparallel to the v`cleat uide, a plurality of independent Spacer locks slidably mounted on said block guide and having cleat spacing portions to traverse thev adjacent cleat guide, and means for advancing the cleats and interspersed blocks through the cleat guide.

3. In a box blank machine, the combination ofa cleat guide, a fixed endless spacer` block guide arranged witha'portionadjacent and substantially parallel to the cleat guide,

a plurality of spacer blocks slidably mounted on said lblock guide and having cleat spac- 45 `ing portions to traverse the' adjacent cleat ,-guide, and meansV for driving the spacer blocks along the spacer block guide in a direction opposite to the movement`of the 4. VIn a bo'x blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, a fixed endless spacer lblock guide arranged with a portion ad;

- jacent and substantially parallel to the cleat guide, a-` plurality of spacci' blocks for interspersing with the cleats slidably mounted on said block guide, means for advancing the cleats andintespersed blocks through the I cleat guide,- and lmeans 4for' driving the. spacer Iblock alongthe spacer block guide in a direction opposlte to themovement of the Y 5. InV a box blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, an endless spacer block guide arranged in a substantially lloriz'ontal plane 'with one portion adjacent and subrality of closely spaced mesme stantially parallel with the cleat guiderand having another portion laterallydisplaced relative to the cleat guide, and a plurality of independent cleat-spacing blocks slidablfy mounted upon said block guide and yadapted for introduction between cleats, the arrangement'. being suchl that said spacer. blocks, when they reach the laterally dislaced portion 0f the spacer block guide, will having aportion adjacent and substantially'- Aparallel with said cleat guide and having 'anotherportion 'laterally displaced from f said-cleat guide and another portion connecting with said last-mentioned portion and returned to the initial end of the machine, and a plurality of independent spacer blocks slidably mounted'-uponsaid .spacer blockguide for interspersing with cleats.

7 In a box blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, a spacer block guide having a portion adjacent and substantially parallel with said cleat guide and havingv another portion laterallydisplaced from sa1d cle`a't guide and another portion connecting with said last-mentioned portion and returned tothe initial end ofthe machine, a plurality of independent cleat spacing blocks slidably mounted upon said block guide, and means for-driving said blocks along the return portion of the spacerblock guide toward the initial endxofthe machine.

8. In a box blank machine, the combinationwith a cleat guide and stapling mecha- -nisn arranged Jover said guide and provided with means for operating upon material passing through said guide, of a feed bar reciprocabl mounted adjacent and substantially para lel with said cleat guide, a pluawls carried by said feed bar' and arrange toengage in one direction material lying in the cleat guide, a seriesof independent s acer block'seach `hzrving a portion adapted or projection into the cleat guide, and an endless guide for said spacer blocks having a portion substantially parallel with the cleat gifide and4 arranged to cause projection of portions of the spacer blocks into the cleat guide when the spacer blocks traverse the same.

Y 9. In a box blank machine,A the combina tion with a cleat guide, of a feed bar reciprocably mounted adjacent and substantially parallel with said cleat guide, a plurali-ty of p'aWls carried by said feed bar and arranged `to engage in one direction material lying in the cleat guide, a carrying chain arranged adjacent and substantially parallel with the cle'at guide and provided with a plurality Vof sheet-engaging members? and paw-ls cai'- ried by the feed bar for engaging said carrying chain and moving the same in syn- -chronism with the movement of material said bracket towardA the cleat guide, and

driving gearing associated with said shaft and bracket to rotate the feed wheel in various positions of the bracket.

v11. In a box blank machine, the combination with a cleat guide and stapling mechanismarranged over said guide and provided` with means for operating upon materlal passing throughgsaid guide, a feed bar reciprocably mounted adjacent and. substantially .parallel with the cleat guide, a series of independent spacer blocks each having a portion adapted for projection into the ,cleat guide, an endless guide for said spacer blocks having a Aportion substantially paral` lel with the cleat guide and arranged to cause projection of portions of the spacer blocks into the cleat guide when the spacer blocks traverse the same, and'means carried .by said feed bar for exerting a driving force lengthwise ofthe cleat guide upon rear faces of material in the cleat guide.

tion with means for feeding -material including cleats, of a cleat guide; a Achain y guide beside the cleat guide extending lonvgitudinally thereof but declined relatively in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of the'work; an endless chain passing through said chain guide and provided with a plurality of Asheet-engaging members; and means for synchronously driving'cleats'and ,said chain comprising a reciprocating feed-bar provided with cleatfeeding pawls and with chailrfeeding pawls.

13. 'A machineof the class described comprising, in combination, mechanismA for fastening together the cleats and side material of assembled box or crate sections and to s'ecure binding wire thereto;` and meansfor Y presenting such sections thereto with the parts in proper relationship, comprising separate and independent cleat and sheet forwarding devices, anda common actuating means for synchronously advancing said cleat and sheet forwarding devices. K

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, cleat-.feeding means; separate and independent feeding means` for side material associated with cleats; and a common actuating means for operating them synchronously.

115, .In a box blank machine, an endless spacer block guide extending lengthwise of the line of movement of materialthrough upon 'said guide and movable along`the same, and step-by-step driving means for advancing said spacer blocks and inter- Spersed material lengthwise of said guide.

16. In a box blank machine, a spacer block guide extending lengthwise of the line of movement of material through the machine, a plurality of sets of spacer blocks slidably mounted upon said guide and movable along the same, step-by-step feeding means, and means actingv upon the rear spacer block of each set for advancing said spacer blocks and interspersed material lengthwise of said guide. l

17. In a box blank machine, the combination with means for guiding cleats andfassociated sheet material therethrough, of stapling mechanisms arranged to staple the sheets and cleats together, said vstapling mechanisms arranged inl pairs longitudinally-of the travel of material through thev machine, terial through themachine successive dis- -tances less than the distance between the tion with means for guiding the cleats and 12. In a box blank machine, the combmaassociated sheet materialtherethrough, of stapling mechanisms arranged to` staple the sheets and' cleats together, said stapling mechanisms arranged in pairs longitudinally of the travel ofmaterial throughthe machine and in each pair a distance apart which is an odd multiple of the desired distance between the staples, and means for advancing` the material through the ma- Y chine successive distances equal to an even multiple of the desired distance between the staples.

19. In a box blank machine, the combina- A tion of a cleat guide,

a spacer block guide substantially parallel with the .cleat guide .and provided with alateral extension eX- tending 'away from lthe cleat guide in substantially the same horizontal plane, rality of groups of independent spacer blocks slidably mounted on said block guide and adapted for interspersing with cleats, 'each of said. blocks las there are 'independent sections in group of blocks having a longitudinal extent materially greater thanI the other blocks, and means for advancing the cleats and interspersed blocks through the cleat guide.v

20. In a box blank'machin'e, thev combina# tion of a cleat guide. a4 spacer block guidegroups comprising as manyl the blank to be produced and one of each arranged adjaoentland substantially parallel guideiarranged to supportthe spacer blocks withthe cleat guide andl provided with a so that they may traverse the cleat guide, lateral extension extending away from the means for laterally withdrawing thelspa'cer cleat guide in snbstantiallythe same horiblocks v'from the cleat 'guides substantially vblocks zont'al lane, aj pluralityfol" independent in thesame horizontal spacer plane with said locks slidably4 mounted on said guides,and means for. driving the spacer block guidevand'each provided with a -porblocks along the block guide inv a direction tion formed to project into and traverse the opposite to the movement of the cleats. adjacent 'cleat guide, and means for adf 26. In a boxA blank machine, the combinavancing the cleats and interspersed blocks tion of a ,cleat guide, a plurality of 4indethrough the cleat guide. Y -pendent spa( er blocks for traversing the 21.` In-a box blank' machine, the combinaA cleat guide, a fixed endlessspacer block tion of 'a cleatV guide; a spacer .block guide guide arranged to supportkthe-spacer Ablocks substantially parallel withftheV cleatvguide so that they mayY traverse the cleat guide, and provided witlra lateral extension exand means for laterally withdrawing the tending away from the cleatyguidewin snb- `spacer blocks from the 4cleat guides substan-y s't'antiallypthe same orizontal plane, and a' tially` in the `same horizontal plane with plurality of groupsof independent spacer said guides. blocks adapted for introduction into the cleat 27. `In a box blank machine,.the combinapath slidably mounted 'on-said blo-ck guide, tion with means Jfor connecting together box each of said groups comprising as many blank. materials, of guides for delivering blocks as there are independent sections in .such materials to the fastening means, and the blank to'- be producedand loneof each two sets of independent spacer blocks to group of blocks having 'a longitudinal exengage and .properly space the box blank tent, materially greater.'` than the other materials on their way to the saideonnect- Y J ing means, a fixed endless guide for each .of`

said sets of spacer blocks, said endless guide 22. In a' box blank the combina- A tion of a'eleat guide, 'a spacer blockiguidevbeing arranged in a plane substantially substantially parallel with the cleat guide' parallel with the box material guides, and and provided with a .lateral extension `ex, means independent of said guides for'driv tendinf'ftaway fromthe'cleat guide in su'bing the box blankmaterals and' interspersedy stantially the same yhorizontal plane, and spacer blocks through the box 'material y a pluralityv of independent :spacer `blocks y' guides to the said connecting means'.

slidablyf-mounted -on '.said' lblock guide 28. Ina box blank machine, the combinaformed'to .traversey the adjacent cleat gnide. y tion with means for connecting together'box 23E`In'a box blank machine,.the combma'- blank materials, of guides for delivering y tionofga cleat guide,'a plurality of inde- -such materials to the said connecting means,`

pendent: spacer blocks for'traversing the and two setsof independent spacer blocks cleat guide, a fixed'lendless spacer block to engage and properly space `the box blank guidev arranged to supportthe spacer materials en their' way to the fastening blocks so that they-.may traverse the cleatme'ans, a fixed endless guide for Veach of' V gL1de, means for laterally withdrawing the said sets' of spacerblocks, and means inv blocks` alongr the block-guide ina direction ti .opposite -to'the movement of the cleats.

spacer Y.blocks from fthe vcleat guides subdependent of said-guides for drivingY the `i stantiallylin'the 'same horizontal plane with box blank 'materialsfand interspersed spacer said` ides, -me ans for advancing the cleatsv blocks through the box .material guidesto 110 and mterspersed blocks through the vcleat fthe said connecting means.y guide, .and means for kdriving thev spacer 29. In a box blank machine,'the combina-f on with means for connecting together box blank materials, of guides for delivering 24. In a' box blank machine, the combina such materials to the said connecting means, M5 tion of a= cleat guide, a plurality of .inde. vand two 4'-"sets of independent spacerbloeks pendent spacerfbloeksfffor traversing the each having portions formedto engage and l in.t he "y y guides, 'and means for advancind the eleatsl i pendent ofsaid vintersperSed blocks th cleat gunde, a lixedendless spacer bloc-k properly space the boxblankmaterials on Y guider arrangedetosupport the spacer blocks -their way to the said connecting "means, a

so that 'they may traverse theeleat guide, fixed endless guide foreach of said setsof 1204 `means for laterally withdrawingthe spacer` spacer' blocks, said endless guide. being' arblocksVA from the cleat guides substantially-.rangedin a plane substantially parallelwitlr same vhorizontal plane` with said the box" material e. guides,`ad means'inde-,r

guides for drivingthe box rougli v ,y blocksthrough the box material guidesA to 25. In a'boxblank machine, the ,combinathe said' connecting means, eac-h setofspacer tion of a cleat guide,.ax plurality of `indeblocks comprising a plurality :of similar I 'pendent spacer blocks for traversing the groups, each group `comprising as many cleat guide, a lixedA endless, spacer block Spaer blocks4 asnthere arezsections in the 130 the'` cleat. lblank materials and interspersed spacer 1,25,A

boxvblank to be produced and each group having one block of greater longitudinal` extent, as to its material-spacing portion, than the other blocks of the group.

30. In a box blank machine,` the combination with means for connecting together box blankmaterials, of. guides for delivering such materials to the lsaid connecting means, and two setsof independent spacer blocks to engage and properly space the box blank materials on their Way to the said connecting means, a fixed endless guide for each of said sets of spacer blocks, and means independent of said guides for driving the box blank materials and interspersed spacer blocks through the box material guides to the said connecting means, each set of spacer blocks comprising a plurality of similar groups, each group comprising as many spacer blocks as there are sections inthe box blank to be produced and each group having one block of greater longitudinal extent, as to its material-spacing portion, than the other blocksof the group.

3l. In a box blank'machine, the combination of mechanism for fastening the blank materia-ls together, guides for guiding the box blank material to said fastening mechanism, two sets of independent spacer blocks each comprising a pluralitycf groups of spacer blocks and each group equaling in number the number of sections of, the def sired box blank, means for supporting the spacer'blocks to cause them to traverse the 85 box material guides during a portion of their travel and to return to initial position dur- 'ing another' portion of their travel, and' means for continuously driving the materials for Successive box blanks and inter` 40 Spersed spacer blocks Ythrough the box ma' terial guides to the fastening mechanism.

32. In a boxblank machine, the combination with meansfor guiding blank-forming /materials therethrough, of fastening mechal nisms arranged to connect such materials into a foldable box blank, said fastening mechanisms arranged in pairs longitudinally of the travel of material through the machine, and means for advancing `the material through the machine by sucessive steps, each step being less than the distance between the fastening mechanisms of a longitudinallyarranged pair, whereby fastenings may be placed at distances apart less than the distance of intermittent advancement of the material.

38; In a box blank machine, the combination with means for guiding blank-forming materials therethrough, of fastening mechanisms arranged to fasten saidfmaterials. together into a foldable box blank, said fastening mechanisms arranged in pairs longitudinally of the travel of material through Vthe machine and in each pair at a distance apart which is an odd multiple of the desired distance between the fastenings in each box blank, and means vfer advancing the materials through the `machine by successive steps,each step being equal to an even multiple ofthe desired distance between the fastenings. A

34. A bex clank machine comprising spacing blocks for'insertion between the ends of. the cleats, means for wiring thesections of the blank together, and means independent of timed relation to the wiring mechanism land disposed in position to receive the oncoming blocks operating automatically toVA cause the forcible displacement of' said blocks from the blanks. I

35. A machine for making box blanks by sucessively wiring together the side material and cleats forming the previously un` lconnected side parts of 'each blank, to prof duce a` flexible blank as the immediate result of said wiring operation, comprising Staplers for applying the binding Wires, spacingblocks for insertion between the ends ofthe cleats, guides for said blocks. and cleats, .said guides and blocks being rel-- atively formed to prevent upward displacement of the blocks from the guides, and feeding means for causing said blocks and cleats to move along said guides, and means independent o f timed relation to the wiring 95 and feeding means to withdraw automatically the blocks frombetween the cleats.

36. A box blank machine comprising, in combination, wire securing mechanism for foldably connecting side material and cleats to produce a foldable blank; spacing blocks for insertion between cleats; guides for said cleats; distinct parallel guides for the spacer blocks offset laterally from the cleat guides; said latter guides and spacer blocks shaped for interlocking sliding engagement; and feeding means for causing said blocks and cleats to advance to 'said mechanism.

37. A machine for making box-blanks by wiring together side material and cleats. comprising mechanism to. apply. the bindingwires; spacing blocks for insertion between the cleats; feeding means for causing progres'sion of the work and spacing blocks; work-guiding means; and alf automatic spacing block extractor comprising a rigid block-engagingV deflector.

38. Ajmachine for-making box-blanks by Wiring together side material and cleats, comprising mechanism to apply the binding wires; spacingV blocks for ihsertionibetween. the cleats; feeding means forV causing progression of the work and spacing blocks; Work-guiding means; and a track slidably engaged by the spacing blocks and having a deflection toextract the spacing 'blocks from the cleats.

39. A machine for making box-blanks by' wiring together side material and cleats,

'comprising mechanism to apply the binding 130 wires; spacing blocks for insertionbetwecn the cleats; feeding means for causing progression of the work andspacing' blocks;

Work-guiding means; and attack slidablyA yengaged by the spacing blocks and having a deflection to extract the spacing blocks .Y

from the cleats and a continuous return portion formed for reintroducing the spacing blocks into the pathv ofcleats.

combination, means to -secure binding wire to box parts; means for feeding thereto a 'succession of 'bon parts and interspersed i y spacingdevices; said spacing devices; and a track slidably engaged by said spacing de- 4vices andfhavinga deflection to withdraw the spacer blocks successively from between the box parts. A

41. A box-blank machine comprising, in

combination, mechanism including wiringwV means for operating upon blank materials to produce a blank; material-feedingmeans including means controlling the movement of an advanced portion of the materials relative .to said mechanism and means yielding-ly urging succeedingmaterials toward such ad# vanced portioirat arelatively faster rate for crowding materials in loose* assembly into proper blank-forming relationship as they feed to said. mechanism; a plurality of'in' dependently movable spacing devices traveling in orbits and adapted for successive in" Jblock-extractinge deections at the delivery end.

42. 'In a boX blank machine, the combinaj tion with means for vfeeding and guiding cleats and interspersed spacer blocks, of a rigid block-engaging deflected .track to extractsaidblocks from'the cleatsf 43'. In a box blank machine, the combination of a cleat guide, spacing blocks for in,-

` sertion 'between cleats, separate and inde pendentl sheet-spacing devices,.and a. coin-v 5o y Y 44. In a boxblank machine, the conihina- T mon means for advancing said blocks, dea vices and..associated work.

tion of a cleatglnde,spacing devices for .insertion between cleatssseparate and indeing means; a plurality of groups ofspacing blocks for determining 'relative positions of pendent sheet'spacing devices, and a coinmon .work-feedingmeans arranged longitudinally therebetween. v,

45. A box blank comprising, in combination, binding-wire applying means; means I for supporting and guiding the work .fory

progressive presentation to said ywireef'i'pply- 'adjacent-'cleats during 'suchpresentation; and reciprocatingfeeding means constructed A'and arranged for progressive feeding en- 40. A boX-blank machine comprising, in

gagement with each of corresponding end spacingblocks ofsaid groups in succession for advancing the work and spacer blocks t9 the wire-applying means.` l

46. A box blank machine comprising, `in combination, wire-securing mechanism for operation uponbox parts; means for supporting and guiding a succession iobox wire-securing means; a plurality of groups' of spacing devices for determining relative Yparts for progressive presentation to said Y positions 'of adjacent box lparts during such presentation; and a reciprocatory feeder bar having a seriesof pawls arranged to engage propulsivejly corresponding end 'spacing devices of each group in turn for advancing the work and the spacing devicesto said wire securingcmeans.

41A box-blank machine `Icomprising, combination, mechanism including `wiring means for operating vupon blank materials to produce a blank; means for progressively Vadvancing thereto materials for successive blanks including traveling positionin devices Hrelated to the ends lof the blau s to tween; and reciprocating feeding means conf strueted and arranged for a series of propulsive engagements' with such positioning devices in@ sequence to cause advance o f the `work thereby.

48. Albox-blank machine comprising,` in combination, mechanism .including wiring means for operating. upon blank materials to f maintaink a desiredv relationship therebe.- l

produce a blank; meansfor progressivelylo() advancingthereto materials for successive blanks, including traveling positionin "dei vices related to the ends of thel bla s to ciprocating feeder-bar having a set of feed pawls for successively engaging such positioning devices in turn to cause propulsion ofthe work thereby,

49. A- box blank machine comprising, -in combination, ymechanism including -wiring means for operating upgn blank materials to' V.determine their relative positions; and a ref-- produce-a foldable blank; means for sup/ portingiand guiding materials for progressive presentation. of successive' blanks; members traveling with Athe work similarlyI cor-y related with corresponding ends of succes-l sive blanks, having their .relative positions deterlin'ned by the said blank ends; and .a

reciprocating feeder bar havinga .set of 1 feed pawls for successively propulsively en-y gaging said members in turn, to cause stepby-step feed of the work.

'50. A box blank machine comprising, iny

determining desired relative positions'of suc,-

fcoinbination, binding-.wire applying mech- H anism; work-forwardingmeans adapted 4for cessive blanks during a progressive presentation to said mechanism; a stepby-step feeding means for imparting' a series off. K movements'to move. a blank to 'a series of 130 positions for successive attachment of the binding wire and means causing said series of imparted movements to be directly applied successively to Work-forwarding means at corresponding locations relative to successive blanks.

5l. A box blank machine comprising, in combination, binding-Wire applyingmechanism; means for supporting and guiding successive blanks for a progressive delivery .to said mechanism; a step-by-step feed mechanisin for imparting a series of movements to move a blank to a/ series of positions for successive attachment of the binding wires ;r

means causing said seriesofmovements to be applied successively to the rear ends of successive blanks; the 4machine being organ-- ized for forwarding successive'blanks atdesired relative positions in unison.

52. A. boX- blank machine comprising, in

combination, binding-'Wire applying mech--- `anisrn; means for maintaining desired relative positions of successive blanks during a progressive presentation to said mechanism,

including Work-engaging members associ. ated with ends of the blanks; and means con-v structed and arranged' for direct coperation with said members in succession to fimpart to each a series of movements for moving the corresponding blank to a series of positions for application of the binding-Wire thereat.

53..A box blank machine comprising, in combination, binding-Wire applyingmechanism; Work-forwarding means adapted for maintaining desired relative positions of successive blanks during a progressive presentation to said mechanism; and a reciprocatingy feed bar having a series of paW'ls for imparting a series of movements to present a succession of points on a blank to said bind-v ing-Wire applying mechanism; said feed bar arranged to impart said series of movements 'successively to Work-engaging means at correspondingrelative locations to successive blanks.

54. A boX Ablankmachine for Wiring successive blanks in a desired spacialI relationship-which comprises, in combination, mechanism for applying the binding Wires; Work-forwarding means adapted for-main. taining such spacial relationship of successive blanks during a progressive presentation 'to` said Wire-applying mechanism;

. means to impart a series of step movements for presenting successive points of a blank to the operation of said Wire-securing means;

'y certain members of the Work-forwarding means which are similarlyY correlated With successive blanks being adapted for successively cooperating With said motion-impart- #ing means' to predetermine a given relationship between the wire-applying mechanism and each blank at the initiation of such series of movements foi" said blank.

55. A box blank machine forvviring successive blanks in" a desired spacial relationshi-p,-Which 4comprises, Ain combination, mechanism for applying the binding-Wires;

. Work-forwarding means adapted 'for maintaining such spacial relationship of successive blanks during/a progressive presentation to said yWire-applying mechanis'm;

Imeans comprising a reciprocating feed'bar having a series. of feed pawls to impart a series of step movements for presenting successive points of a blank` to the operation of v said Wire-securing means; certain members of the work-forwarding meansivvhich are similarly correlated with successive blanks being adapted for successively coperating vwith said feed bar to predetermine a given relationship between the Wire-applying mechanism and each blank at the initiation of such .series of movements for said blank.

5.6. A machine 'for use fin making Wirebound boxes comprising, in combination, means for Wiring box partsincliiding a pludiferent points in the length of the binding Wire spaced a multipleof adesired distance betweenl adjacent vivire-secuning points; and means to cause relativeprogres'sion between vsa-id Wire-securing means and the Work in steps another multipleof such distance.

57. A machine forv use in making wirebound boxes' comprising, in combination, means to secure binding Wire to box parts i'ality of instrumentalities for operatingat including a yplurality of instrumentalities for .operating at diiierent points in the length of anisms 'and the Work step-by-step; the step movements and the space between said mechanisins being different multiples, one odd and one even, of a desired spacing for successive 'fastening points.

#In Witness vvhereoiI I have hereunto set my hand at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 15th day of April, A. D. one thousand ninel hundred and fourteen. i i

D JASON H. GREE'NSTREET. Witnesses: Y

ARTHUR M. Hoon, Gr. B. SCHLEY.

isclaimer in Lene-'g 'PatemN- 1 ,325,71

DISGLA1MJ;B;

ent dated Decemher2 3, 1919. Disc aimer ledlJnly Aby mesne assignments, Wirebowrds PatientsL Company.

- Enters this disclaimerclaims 13,14, and 43 of said-patent, .which are in the following worde, 150 y wie c 1 3. .A machine of thev class described cleatand sheet'forwardin devices, and, a common .ac

.lfL A machine of the class described having-1ncombination@cleat-feeding; means; separate and independent feeding means for side material associat cleats; and a common actuating means for operating them synchronously.v 43.* a box blank machine, thecombination of a cleat guide, spacing blocks `for insertion between cleats, separate and independent 'sheet-spacing devices, and

a common means for advancing said blocks, devices and associated Work."

[Ojicfial Gazette August 10, 1920.] 1 l angina. Box-BLANK Mn'mm.. Pti 28, 1.9209 by the assignee, A. y

I comprising, in combination, mechanism," for fasteningtogether the cleats and side material ofv assembled -boxor crate sec-Qv tions andto secure binding Wire thereto; Vandfrneans for presentingwsuch Sectionsf-. thereto with the parts in proper relationship, vcomprising separate and' independent l tuatmg means for. ysynchro`` nously advancing said cleat and sheet forwarding devices.

ed With. 

